Courtesy • Shawn BaldwinCrooked Lane Brewery is now open at 536 Grass Valley Hwy. in Auburn.

A steady stream of patrons visited Crooked Lane Brewing last Wednesday during its soft opening.
“A soft opening that wasn’t that soft,” said Kirt Braun, one of three owners who include Paul Schilling and Adrian Psuty. “It was extremely busy.”
Over 400 people flowed through the brewery throughout the evening. They gathered inside, on the covered patio or in the community beer garden.
There is a pass-through window to the beer garden, so people can order from outside.
And there is food.
“We have a food truck right on edge of the beer garden,” said Braun. “You don’t even have to put your beer down.”
Crooked Lane offers five brews with more in store. There are lighter ales, IPAs and a robust porter and an oatmeal stout.
Or you may choose honey wheat, made with the local Miller Farm honey, or mandarin ale, with mandarins from Thundering Herd Ranch in Newcastle.
Local sourcing is important to the owners of Crooked Lane Brewing.
“We’re very community focused,” said Braun. “We want to dig our roots in deep. Our mantra is ‘think local first.’”
Find the brewery at 536 Grass Valley Hwy. in Auburn. It is clearly visible from Hwy. 49 between Palm Ave. and Persimmon Terrace, and parking is abundant with 60-plus spaces and overflow.
Hours of operation are 3-9 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Thursday; 3-10 p.m. Friday; 12-10 p.m. Saturday; and during football season it is open from 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday.
For more information call 530-878-5232
Reach Features Editor Carol Guild at carolg@goldcountrymedia.com.